What Do Floortime Therapists Do?

October 15, 2024

Discover the role of Floortime therapists and how they support children’s emotional growth and development through play-based strategies.

DIR Floortime is a child-centered approach that emphasizes emotional, social, and intellectual development. It’s especially beneficial for children with developmental challenges, like autism, by fostering communication, self-expression, and relationship-building.

In this article, we’ll break down the role of Floortime therapists, how they work with children and families, and the unique strategies they use to guide children toward their developmental goals. Understanding what Floortime therapists do can help parents and caregivers make informed decisions about the best support for their child’s growth.

What is a Floortime Therapist?

Before diving into what do Floortime therapists do, it's important to understand their background and training. A Floortime therapist is usually a professional trained in developmental psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or related fields. They specialize in using the DIR (Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based) model, with a focus on guiding children through emotional and relational growth using playful interactions, often on the floor—hence the name Floortime.

Floortime therapists are trained to:

Understand the developmental milestones that children move through.
Adapt their strategies to fit each child’s unique sensory processing, communication style, and emotional needs.
Build meaningful relationships with children to foster emotional security and confidence.

The Role of a Floortime Therapist

Floortime therapists play multiple roles in a child’s developmental journey. Let’s explore some of the key aspects of their work to understand what do Floortime therapists do on a daily basis.

1. Assess Developmental Levels and Needs

The first step for a Floortime therapist is to understand where a child is developmentally. Every child develops at their own pace, and it’s crucial to meet them at their current level to help them progress.

During assessments, a Floortime therapist will:

Observe how a child communicates, interacts, and responds to stimuli.
Identify areas of strength and areas where the child may need more support.
Develop an individualized plan based on the child’s unique sensory, emotional, and cognitive needs.

Assessments are ongoing throughout therapy. Floortime therapists continuously monitor progress and make adjustments to their approach as the child grows.

2. Build Trust and Emotional Engagement

One of the most essential things Floortime therapists do is create a safe and trusting environment for the child. By building a strong emotional connection, therapists help children feel secure and confident in exploring new skills and ways of interacting with the world around them.

To build trust and emotional engagement, Floortime therapists:

Get down on the floor to meet the child at their level—physically and emotionally.
Follow the child’s lead during playtime to encourage natural expression and interaction.
Use playful, fun activities that align with the child’s interests to make therapy enjoyable.

This relationship-based approach helps children feel understood and supported, making it easier for them to take developmental leaps.

3. Encourage Communication and Social Interaction

A significant part of what Floortime therapists do is fostering communication and social interaction. Many children with developmental challenges struggle to express themselves verbally or socially, and this is where Floortime therapists excel.

Therapists encourage communication by:

Using gestures, facial expressions, and body language to reinforce verbal communication.
Engaging the child in back-and-forth interactions, even if they’re non-verbal.
Helping the child learn to initiate interactions with others, such as requesting an object or making eye contact.

By building these foundational communication skills, therapists help children strengthen their social relationships and begin to express themselves in new and meaningful ways.

4. Support Sensory and Motor Development

Many children who benefit from DIR Floortime also experience challenges with sensory processing and motor coordination. Floortime therapists incorporate activities that help children regulate their sensory experiences and improve their motor skills.

For sensory and motor development, therapists might:

Use tactile toys, sensory bins, or textured mats to help children explore different sensations.
Encourage movements like crawling, rolling, or balancing to develop motor planning skills.
Create a sensory-friendly environment that feels comfortable for the child, reducing overstimulation or sensory overload.

Through play, therapists help children gradually become more comfortable with their sensory experiences and improve their coordination.

5. Work with Families to Continue Growth at Home

A big part of what Floortime therapists do is empowering parents and caregivers to take an active role in their child’s development. Therapy doesn’t just happen in the clinic—it extends into the child’s home and daily life. Floortime therapists guide families on how to integrate the DIR model into everyday routines and playtime.

Therapists work with families by:

Demonstrating activities that parents can do at home to support their child’s progress.
Offering coaching and feedback to help parents feel confident in engaging with their child.
Providing resources and tools that align with the child’s individual needs and developmental stage.

Partnering with families helps ensure that children continue to grow and develop outside of structured therapy sessions.

How Do Floortime Therapists Tailor Their Approach?

Every child is unique, and what Floortime therapists do is adjust their approach based on the individual needs of the child. The flexibility of DIR Floortime allows therapists to personalize each session to best support the child’s development.

Here are a few ways therapists tailor their approach:

1. Focus on the Child’s Interests

Children learn best when they’re engaged in something they enjoy. Floortime therapists often start with the child’s interests, using them as a gateway to deeper engagement and learning.

For example, if a child loves cars, the therapist might use toy cars during playtime to teach concepts like turn-taking or verbal expression.

2. Adjust to Sensory Sensitivities

Many children who work with Floortime therapists have sensory sensitivities. A good therapist knows how to create an environment that feels comfortable for the child, while gently encouraging them to explore new sensations.

For instance, if a child is sensitive to loud noises, the therapist may introduce sound gradually, starting with soft music or quiet toys.

3. Set Developmentally Appropriate Goals

DIR Floortime is not about forcing a child to meet milestones before they’re ready. Instead, therapists set goals that are developmentally appropriate for the child. They focus on the child’s current capabilities and work from there, ensuring that the child doesn’t feel overwhelmed or frustrated.

What Makes a Floortime Therapist Effective?

Not all therapists are the same, and it takes certain qualities to be an effective Floortime therapist. Some key traits that make a Floortime therapist successful include:

Patience: Floortime therapy is a process, and progress can take time. An effective therapist remains patient and supportive, no matter the pace of development.
Creativity: Engaging children through play requires creativity. A good therapist knows how to think outside the box to keep sessions fun and engaging.
Empathy: Understanding the child’s emotional world is critical in DIR Floortime. An empathetic therapist can tune in to the child’s feelings and respond in a way that makes the child feel safe and understood.
Collaboration: A good Floortime therapist works closely with parents and other caregivers to create a cohesive approach to the child’s development.

Benefits of Working with a Floortime Therapist

By now, you’ve probably gotten a clear sense of what Floortime therapists do and why they’re such an important part of a child’s development. Working with a trained Floortime therapist offers several benefits, including:

Interested in Floortime Therapy?

If you’re looking for expert guidance on using DIR Floortime with your child, Wondirful Play offers comprehensive Floortime therapy services in New Jersey. Our experienced team of Floortime therapists understands the individual needs of each child and creates a customized plan to foster emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

Contact us today to learn more about how DIR Floortime can benefit your child and help them reach their developmental potential!